Sequester Payment Cuts for Home Care and Hospice Services Go into Effect Today

Today, April 1, marks the start of the Medicare reimbursement rate reductions under the automatic federal spending cuts – known as the sequester – that went into effect last month. Home care and hospice services are included in the across the board rate cuts.

As a reminder, the sequestration that takes effect today will be implemented as follows:

Home Health Services: A 2% payment reduction will be applied to episodes with end dates of April 1 and later.

Hospice: A 2% reduction will apply to all services with a claim “through date” for services beginning April 1, 2013.

HHNA is currently accepting nominations to honor and recognize home care and hospice nurses from across the country. Agencies may nominate any registered nurse to represent their state for 2013. Nominations will be reviewed by the Nurse Recognition Program Selection Committee and one nurse will be recognized from each state.

To see examples of stories from previous issues of CARING, you can click here. To fill out the online nomination form click here. The deadline for submission has been extended to April 8, 2013.

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New York Times Article Highlights Possible Areas of Agreement for Medicare Reform between Democrats and Republicans

A recent New York Times article highlighted possible areas of agreement between President Obama and Republican leaders in Congress with respect to Medicare reform. More details of the President’s plan will likely be included in his budget – which is scheduled for release on April 10 when both chambers of Congress are back in session.

The article details several reform proposal that NAHC opposes, as they would have serious consequences on beneficiaries’ access to home health services.